Noticias

Backyard chicken issue going on November ballot in Broomfield

Voters in November will decide if backyard chickens should be allowed in some neighborhoods of Broomfield. Proposed rules include:

• Up to five chickens in single-family backyards

• Chickens must remain in the coop, and coops must be 10 feet from any property line.

• Residents of HOA-controlled neighborhoods would not be allowed to have chickens.

• Chickens wouldn't be allowed in the front yard.

• Outside slaughtering would be prohibited.

• No roosters would be allowed.

• Residents would pay a one-time $25 registration fee

• Coops taller than 6 feet would require a building permit

Broomfield voters in November will decide whether residents in certain neighborhoods will be allowed to have backyard chickens.

City Council on Tuesday voted 6-4 against a proposed ordinance that would have allowed residents of single family homes in non-HOA neighborhoods to keep up to five chickens in their back yards. Council ultimately decided the matter was best left up to voters.

The matter has divided council members since last summer, when residents urged Broomfield to allow chickens in single-family residential neighborhoods. Chickens are currently only allowed on some agricultural properties in Broomfield.

Despite a crowd of residents who spoke during public comment Tuesday in favor of raising chickens, council members were split over whether allowing chickens would be a benefit to the community or an annoyance for neighbors.

Some council members have argued keeping backyard chickens is a property owner's right to keep food on the table and teach children responsibility.

"This adds value to our community, and this gives them something to do together, and it's a sustainable and healthy food choice," said Councilman Kevin Jacobs.

Supporters echoed his sentiments, including the Lake family, who revealed they have been illegally keeping chickens in their back yard on Agate Way.

"We know we're breaking the law, but we love them and treat them kindly," said Andrea Lake, who carried her 5-year-old daughter Sadie to the podium during public comment. Sadie showed off drawings she had made of her favorite chickens.

Lake said the animals are an enriching experience for her young daughter, who helps collect eggs and clean the coops. The family uses the eggs for meals and shares them with neighbors. Lake asked her neighbors for permission before installing the coop.

"It would be sad to see them go," she said.

But some council members were not convinced chickens are a good idea. They said the animals would create neighborhood disturbances and infringe on neighbors' property rights.

If chickens cause a disturbance for neighbors, the chicken owners are "taking away the right of the people next to you," said Councilwoman Martha Derda. "It says a lot when no HOA allows it."

Council members Todd Schumacher, David Jurcak, Wayne Anderson, Derda, Bob Gaiser and Mayor Pro Tem Greg Stokes voted against the measure. Most said chickens do not belong in residential areas, where residents might be impacted by the sound, smell or sight of them.

Schumacher said Broomfield already allows chickens in agricultural areas and sees no reason to change the ordinance to allow them in residential areas.

Stokes said he voted against the measure because he felt the issue was best left to voters.

Stokes said he became more and more in favor of allowing chickens after learning more about the benefits, but said the Broomfield community does not yet have that level of education about the birds.

"I believe (opposition) is based on ignorance and there's an education element," he said.

After the vote failed, council voted to put the issue on the November ballot, which will officially leave the decision to Broomfield residents.

Mayor Pat Quinn, who only votes in case of a tie, said he would have voted in favor of the chicken ordinance. He said he will now support anyone willing to spread the word about the benefits of chickens in advance of the November election.

Quinn specifically applauded young community members who spoke in favor of the animals during public comment and called on them to educate their neighbors on the benefits of chickens.